Seizure Category?

[Cinnabar]

I thought I was having Complex Partial seizures but from what I've read about its symptoms I may be entirely wrong. It begins with my knees ready to buckle. Then I manage, in quite a crippled way, to get to a safe place. The bed or the couch where my entire body quakes. My body is entirely out of control and I need to hold onto the bedpost or grab over the top of the couch for fear if I did not this horrific energy coursing through my body would have me flying about the room. I need to anchor myself. I am basically "feeling" myself seize. I do not lose "any" consciousness. Am painfully and fully aware of what is happening to me. It lasts for about a minute or so. Afterwards, I experience no post-ictal effects. Just tired.
Has anyone experienced this or have any knowledge relating to my experience?

 

[Nakamova]

I think Complex Partials definitely involve loss of consciousness, so if that's not happening with you, it's more likely that you're experiencing Simple Partials. Those have a pretty wide range of symptoms, including motor ones (like alternating contraction and relaxation of muscles), and also sensory ones (like fear).

Best,
Nakamova

 

[occb]

I just did a quick search about consciousness during tonic-clonic seizures and I found this abstract of a study done on two patients who were painfully aware during their seizures:

jnnp.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/63/6/792


Read the short abstract. I hope it helps.

[EDIT]I continued the search and found the full article about this study. It includes one person with tonic-clonic seizures, and one person with bilateral clonic seizures. You can download the PDF from here:

pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2169852

[/EDIT]

 

[darcness]

I have to agree on the simple partials.

I think complex infers that you've had an alteration of consciouness. Perhaps I'm wrong on that, but that's what I remember reading.

What does your neuro think about it? It's kind of funny because my wife's neuro really isn't into labeling the types of seizures at all.

Here you go, some more information I found about simple partials:

Motor seizures:

These cause a change in muscle activity. For example, a person may have abnormal movements such as jerking of a finger or stiffening of part of the body. These movements may spread, either staying on one side of the body (opposite the affected area of the brain) or extending to both sides. Other examples are weakness, which can even affect speech, and coordinated actions such as laughter or automatic hand movements. The person may or may not be aware of these movements.

 

[KelVarQ]

Aware of Seizures

Wow, I've had seizures for years including Gran Mals and I had the surgery 4 years ago. I started having seizures again and I've had about a handful of seizures that I was totally aware that I was seizing. I just had one the other day and I thought it was some kind of fluke, but apparently not. For me it began with an overwhelming taste in my mouth (perhaps why I make mouth noises) and I felt my body starting to shake and for me I think a lot of the shaking was me simply trying to shake it off or trying to get myself out of it, although perhaps not. Anyway, for those particular seizures try pressing the dent above the lip / below the nose and this should get you out of it. It works for me all the time. Usually my husband is the one pressing it because I'm usually not aware of the seizure, but in the few cases that I was aware of it I was able to press it myself. GOOD LUCK and be well.

 

[Cinnabar]

Thank you all. It does sound like Simple Partials. I experience an abrupt change in muscle activity, these "severe" jerking movements which seems to eminate from the center of my body and then radiate. When seizing my head must look like one of those bobble heads you see in the back of cars...My partner has steadied my shoulders when this happens and the "head bobbling" gets a bit under control. Then I focus on my breathing out of shear desperation. There "is" the powerful fear element as Nakamova mentioned. A very particular kind of fear I'm at a loss to describe. My neurologist, as well, does not want to go the labeling route but I tend to want to know "what's going on with my body and why?". I feel very dismissed when he says there's no point to labeling. I think "knowlege is power" applies here as with all strains of Epilepsy. With thanks to you, I will be looking into Simple Partials. If not for the inevitable injury one suffers going through a Tonic Clonic, I'd really prefer being unconscious...This is just how horrific the experience is.

 

[Cinnabar]

Very interesting, Kel. I will keep that dent pressing in mind. It's amazing how little things like this can make a major difference.

 

[dfwtexas]

I have both simple and complex partials. I know other's have some different experiences. When I have a simple, I am aware and know a complex is about to happen. Most of the time it happens is at work (I think it the lights), I hide in the bathroom. It is a sense of dread. I never lose consicousness. However when my complex kicks it, it's a different story. I am like in a sleep-walking state. I have no idea what I am doing...I think I hear it's call auto-something. It's like I am auto pilot, yet I have no idea what's going on...my porch light is on and no body's home! LOL. I will never lose consicousness totally yet there is absoulutely no recall

 

[KelVarQ]

Hey JG,

Yes, I've had many of those and it's called "automatism". After a gran mal seizure I usually am in that zone for a good hour. I actually dislocated my shoulder and had no clue until later. Low and behold I found myself on top of my desk (at home) with my office completely trashed. Have no clue why I found comfort on top of my desk, trashed my office and dislocated my shoulder. I always find it amazing that one could do all these things and have 0 recollection. Automatism! I've functioned on that many of times and usually without any problems.

 

[Cinnabar]

jb- Something, yet, new. I never would have thought that a Complex Partial would be on the heels of a Simple Partial. Your description of your Complex Partial is very vivid. Describing the Sleep Walking state.

Please note that I am not bringing this up now because I had an episode yesterday or last month but because I'm now allowed to drive being seizue free for one year. The idea of my driving and having a Simple Partial is mortifying. To be at the wheel, "see" a car, perhaps with children in the back seat, and "knowing" that there is nothing I can do to prevent what could be a fatality. I've had my share of Tonic Clonics but if it were left at that the fear would somehow be less. I'd not have "this" picture in mind. I just envision my hands off the wheel. Seeing a sole wheel while the car is driving me. This is why I need to know, especially now, as much as I can about this particular type of seizure.

 

[dfwtexas]

When you are researching simple partials, you will see some places where they refer to them as an aura because for a lot of people the simple happens like a warning of what is coming. I have had a few episodes where I only get a partial without the complex following. For me it's weird, I keep thinking "here it comes" and then it is over.
I certainly understand your anxiousness about returning to driving. I would worry about driving until you feel comfortable about it...getting stressed out over worrying about it certainly isn't good for you either. Wow, it is all such a vicious circle that I understand why people not in this have trouble comprenhending it all.

 

[Cinnabar]

jb, I don't believe I've ever had an aura and this has to work to my disadvantage. Having a warning sign to prepare me? For me, this would have to be a good thing.

I've driven a couple of times so far and do not think about all of this because I'm too busy concentrating on the road. But when I get home? It hits me. I've been blessed. Today, I did not crash into anyone. I should just simply congratulate myself for braving the road again. And leave it at that. Something to work on.

 

[cbmc]

I experience the same jerking - always starts on the right but often spreads. I had one very bad episode where I was standing. Like you I know it is happening but can not speak or stop it. Feel very much like " i am holding on" so I don't have a full seizure - like I am at a tipping point.
When I try to describe this my dr. seems perplexed and like this is a very unusual description of seizure activity. I do not lose consciousness - I also worry about the driving part. It is almost just a relief to hear someone else describe this because sometimes feel like I am going crazy and when it is happening I try to will myself to just stop.
Interesting

 

[Cinnabar]

cbmc, Well, it's all a terrible ordeal but at least I have a comrade who gets it. I'm always standing when it begins. It's the sudden knee buckling which is my clue to get to a safe place. Yes. The holding on. If not for holding onto something, let loose, I fear my body would explode into a thousand pieces. Parts flying all about. I, too, try to will myself to stop. The best I can do is try to remember to keep my breathing level. This sometimes helps but it's really just a dent in the scheme of it all. About driving. The anxiety comes about in the aftermath. Once home, I wring my hands wondering if I'll have such luck driving the next day. This is the time when I should do my creative meditation where I envision a peaceful place and inner chant positive affirmations.

To steadiness...

 

[Blondie47]

Hello!

My daughter, 13, has simple partials.

Her frontal seizures begin with a head jerk to the right. It can involve eye blinking. It can stop there, lasting seconds if very mild or it can progress into a clonic seizure- looks something like a tonic clonic, but is not. Our epi confirmed that.

She is conscience through out but unable to speak, make eye contact or have control over her motor functions. she appears unconscience. She always tells me what I said and did during her seizures. It is like she is trapped inside her body. She always cries after, just mad really. We have not had a clonic since Long term Monitoring in April 09. And they did record it.

I hope this helps???

She is taking oxcarbazepine (trileptal). It works well but were not quite 100 percent yet.

 

[Cinnabar]

Hi, Blondie

I was just thinking? Why on earth do they call them Simple Partials? There's really nothing simple about them...

Have you checked out The Nursery yet?

 

[Loudmouth]

Out of all the seizures I have had, the 2 that I was 'aware' of were by far the most scary things I have ever been through. In both of them, I awake with a start from a deep sleep, sat halfway up in the bed, got the most terrible sense of dread and fear then my left arm and thumb started twitching. I couldn't stop it, couldn't lay back down or get up, and the sense of fear was so overwhelming that I was trying to scream but couldn't. Those 2 seizures happened about a year or so ago, but they are as fresh in my mind as if they happende yesterday, Even thinking about them now I can remember the dread and fear. I REALLY hope I never have seizures like that again, give me my drop attacks or CP's any day, at least I don't know what's going on!

 

[cbmc]

It is nice to hear other people describe the exact same sensations because sometime when you describe them to the doctor they look at you like they have never heard of such a thing. It is the fact that you know what is going on around you, know your body is doing these jerking things, can hear and understand everything but can't respond or interact. I always feel like I should just stop it like I have some control over it - I know I don't but since I am so aware I feel that way. If nothing else this site just helps knowing that other people " get it" since it is hard to fully describe.

 

[Cinnabar]

cbmc, As I stated above, mild breathing helps. But I need to clarify why I suggest "mild" breathing. I would "stay away" from "deep" breathing. Directly before my first seizure, I was doing deep breathing excersizes to calm down after an upsetting experience. Then my breathing went out of control and before I knew it I was hyperventelating. I tried to get a handle on that but it ran away with me and before I knew it everything went black and I was then out, having a Tonic Clonic. If it should happen again try the "mild" breathing. At least, it will give you the sense that you have "some" control. There's comfort in this, I found. Thereafter, I read that if you have Epilepsy one should avoid deep breathing at all costs. When one panics it's natural for breathing to go out of control. Do your best to keep "mind over matter" as a kind of a mantra when the seizing begins.

Do you get a warning sign? As I mentioned, my knees buckle. I always wonder what state my body would be in if not finding an anchor in time? And your describing the experience as a "tipping point" resonates with me. Very well put.

I am so glad I began this thread. While I wish I had less company going through this terror, it is good to know I'm not alone. Up to this point, I've not heard anyone graphically discuss what it's like to experience a Simple Partial. Speaking up about one's own experience and the feelings which come along with the territory allows us to exchange important information all the while validating each other.